Newbiggin says Farewell to Lifeboat Chaplain Peter

Monday 30 October 2017

Newbiggin's Lifeboat Chaplain Reverend Peter Sinclair and his wife Philippa said a fond farewell to the community over the weekend at his last service in this local parish.

Peter is presented with gifts to thank him for his volunteer service to Newbiggin lifeboat — Peter with some of the Newbiggin volunteers

Peter has been Lifeboat Chaplain here for the last five years and has taken an active role in the lifeboat station including the annual Blessing of the Lifeboat, the Lifeboat Carol service and other fundraising events. In addition he has always made time to regularly call down to the station after his Sunday morning services to speak to the volunteer team and find out what is happening.

At the celebration tea event at the Church Centre on Sunday Peter and Philippa were presented by Newbiggin's volunteers with various items to thank them for their support over the years including a framed picture by local artist Mike Smith which depicts a rescue by Newbiggin lifeboat over 100 years ago but importantly has Peter's former parish church St. Bartholomew's at Church Point in the background.

Richard Martin, Newbiggin RNLI spokesman thanked Peter on behalf of the station and added 'we are extremely grateful for everything Peter and Philippa have done for the lifeboat and the wider community here and we look forward to ensuring the ideas for our community continue. We hope they have a long, happy and healthy retirement'

Peter added “It has been an enormous privilege to be associated with this lively lifeboat community -those who crew the boat as well as all those who support them on shore and who are involved in fund-raising. The lifeboat is at the heart of Newbiggin by the Sea and we give thank for all their courage over more than 160 years. This year the local Genealogy Project mounted an exhibition called the ‘Pride of Newbiggin’ featuring the stories of the 12 lifeboat coxswains who had led the crew over the years. It was a most wonderful display that captured the imagination of the whole town. It made us appreciate all that the lifeboat means to this place. I wish them well and all God’s blessings in the future.”

ENDS

RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Richard Martin, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Newbiggin on 07980 010544 or [email protected] or Nicola Quinn Regional Media Manager – North East & East telephone 07810 658 072 email [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

If you would like to find out more about Newbiggin lifeboat station, its volunteers and its heritage then take a look at the local websites.

Peter blessing the lifeboat at the annual Blessing service — Peter blessing Newbiggin lifeboat

Peter welcomes visitors to the annual service within the lifeboat boathouse — Peter meeting the visitors at the Annual Blessing

Peter addresses the crowd at the lifeboat naming ceremony — Newbiggin Naming Ceremony

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

Newbiggin says Farewell to Lifeboat Chaplain Peter

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